Earnestine
Primarily a girl's name with 16,072 recorded births. Also given to 61 boys.
Meaning & Origin
Earnestine is a vintage name that peaked in the pre-war decades and has since faded from common use. For parents drawn to retro charm, that quiet history is part of the appeal.
The open, approachable quality of its ending — ending on a vowel softens the overall impression — gives it a distinctive rhythm that pairs well with shorter middle names or surnames.
Earnestine is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Earnestine is a girl's and boy's baby name of Germanic origin, a variant spelling of Ernestine, the feminine form of Ernest, derived from the Old High German Ernust, meaning 'serious, resolute, determined.'
The -Ear- spelling was particularly favored in African-American communities in the early-to-mid 20th century, giving the name a distinctive identity while preserving its strong, purposeful meaning. It's a name that conveys unwavering character.
EtymologyShow more
Though Earnestine dates back to 1889 in U.S. records, its etymological path is not always straightforward. Names that predate modern naming databases sometimes resist easy classification — they may have been oral traditions, regional family names, or adaptations that were never systematically recorded.
Earnestine’s 16,072 recorded births provide enough of a footprint to establish it as a real, chosen name in American culture — not a typo or a one-off, but a deliberate selection by tens of thousands of families.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Earnestine has 102+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1889.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 6 | #14041 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 35 | #10934 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 140 | #5494 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 265 | #3048 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 1,016 | #1198 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 3,066 | #534 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 4,380 | #342 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 3,448 | #342 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 2,696 | #427 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 833 | #681 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 145 | #1043 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 36 | #1353 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 6 | #1175 | — |
The Story of Earnestine
A Silent Generation name
Peaking in 1944, Earnestine is an elegant vintage name. Girls named Earnestine are most likely born between 1934 and 1954.
How rare is Earnestine?
Earnestine has 16,072 recorded births in the U.S. — a well-established name with deep roots.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1889, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1940s with 4,380 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Earnestine by the numbers
- Would fill 335 school buses
- Meeting one Earnestine per day would take 44 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(102 years, 1889–2001)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 6 | #14041 |
| 1996 | 8 | #9843 |
| 1995 | 8 | #9847 |
| 1994 | 6 | #12230 |
| 1992 | 7 | #10818 |
| 1991 | 6 | #11930 |
| 1989 | 13 | #6265 |
| 1988 | 10 | #7281 |
| 1987 | 11 | #6446 |
| 1986 | 9 | #7276 |
| 1985 | 14 | #5137 |
| 1984 | 14 | #5017 |
| 1983 | 14 | #4944 |
| 1982 | 15 | #4773 |
| 1981 | 21 | #3767 |
| 1980 | 19 | #4037 |
| 1979 | 15 | #4680 |
| 1978 | 19 | #3816 |
| 1977 | 18 | #3945 |
| 1976 | 26 | #2886 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Earnestine as a Boy's Name
While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Earnestine has also been given to 61 boys in the U.S. since 1922.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Earnestine a boy's or girl's name?
When was Earnestine most popular?
How popular is the name Earnestine?
Can Earnestine be used for both boys and girls?
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1889–2001